The impact of daratumumab pretreatment on multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous transplantation.

The anti-CD38 antibody daratumumab (Dara) has been reported to improve the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients, but its use before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains controversial. To clarify the prognostic impact of Dara before ASCT on MM, we performed a retrospective observational analysis. We analyzed 2626 patients who underwent ASCT between 2017 and 2020. In the comparison between patients not administered Dara (Dara- group) and those administered Dara (Dara+ group), the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 87.4% and 77.3% and the 1-year overall survival (OS) rates were 96.7% and 90.0%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age <65 years (p = 0.015), low international staging system (ISS) stage (p < 0.001), absence of unfavorable cytogenic abnormalities (p < 0.001), no Dara use before ASCT (p = 0.037), and good treatment response before ASCT (p < 0.001) were independently associated with superior PFS. In matched pair analysis, the PFS/OS of the Dara- group were also significantly superior. For MM patients who achieved complete or very good partial response (CR/VGPR) by Dara addition before ASCT, both PFS and OS significantly improved. However, in patients who did not achieve CR/VGPR before ASCT, the PFS/OS of the Dara+ group were significantly inferior to those of the Dara- group.

Cytomegalovirus Reactivation during Elotuzumab Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Some treatments are associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation (CMVRA) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, no reports exist on the association between elotuzumab and CMVRA. Therefore, we assessed the incidence of CMVRA in patients with MM who received elotuzumab therapy. METHODS: The medical records of 85 patients who underwent elotuzumab therapy were included in the retrospective analysis for CMV positivity. RESULTS: Thirty patients were tested for CMV antigenemia during elotuzumab therapy, and 16 were positive for CMV antigenemia; the cumulative incidence rate of CMVRA 6 months after elotuzumab initiation was 18.4%. The history of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was significantly more common in the CMVRA group (31.2%) than that of the group without CMVRA (8.7%). However, even among patients who did not undergo allo-HSCT, the cumulative incidence rate of CMVRA at 6 months was 15.1%. During CMVRA, the symptoms included fever in 8 cases, while retinitis was observed in 1 case. Five patients required antiviral therapy and CMV antigenemia resolved in all but 1 case. CONCLUSION: Although the patient population was heterogeneous, CMVRA cannot be underestimated during elotuzumab therapy, and evaluation of CMVRA, especially in symptomatic cases, is clinically important.

Cytomegalovirus infection during daratumumab therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The introduction of daratumumab has improved treatment outcomes for multiple myeloma (MM). However, infectious complications are a concern in patients receiving daratumumab. Although some reports have explored the association between daratumumab and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, most of these have focused on relapsed or refractory cases, and few describe patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed CMV infections in 53 patients with NDMM who received daratumumab as induction therapy. CMV infection was defined as CMV antigenemia positivity. The median age at treatment initiation was 71 years (range, 50-82 years), and 50.9% of the patients were female. The median duration of daratumumab administration was 10.0 months (range, 0.3-63.8 months). Nine patients developed CMV infection, and the cumulative incidence rate at six months was 18.1% (95% confidence interval: 8.9-30.1%). One patient experienced CMV retinitis and required antiviral therapy, while the remaining eight patients did not require treatment and could be managed through observation. Few cases of CMV infection during daratumumab treatment for NDMM required treatment. However, the incidence of CMV infection was not negligible, suggesting that regular monitoring for CMV is worth considering to ensure more appropriate management during daratumumab treatment.

[A retrospective analysis of 124 patients with multiple myeloma who received up-front autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation following triplet induction therapy].

The IFM/DFCI group reported that VRD induction followed by up-front autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and maintenance therapy led to median PFS of 50 months, which established up-front ASCT as the standard of care even in the era of novel agents. We conducted a retrospective analysis on outcomes of patients who received triplet induction therapy followed by up-front ASCT at our institution. A total of 124 patients received ASCT between November 2016 and December 2021 at Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. Patient characteristics, treatment response before and after ASCT, and PFS and OS were retrospectively analyzed. VRD-based induction therapy was used for 94%. Among 118 evaluable patients, 116 (98%) received either consolidation and/or maintenance therapy. Best responses were ≥CR 77% and ≥VGPR 94%, respectively. Sixty-eight out of 104 patients achieved MRD-negativity by multiparameter FCM (<10-5). Five-year estimated PFS and OS were 54.7% and 80.2%, respectively. Age ≥65, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and

Systemic lupus erythematosus mimicking retinal migraine: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Retinal migraine is a diagnosis of exclusion and is characterized by repeated episodes of transient monocular blindness associated with migraine. We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with acute episodes mimicking retinal migraines. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old woman with a history of migraine with aura since her 20s and Evans syndrome presented with episodic transient monocular blindness. Retinal migraine was considered as the cause, and migraine prophylaxis initially reduced its frequency. After 5 months, the frequency increased, with chilblain-like lupus lesions on her extremities. Laboratory testing revealed lymphopenia and hypocomplementemia, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, which may have caused Evans syndrome and transient monocular blindness, mimicking retinal migraines. After intravenous methylprednisolone and rituximab therapy, the transient monocular blindness episodes did not recur. CONCLUSION: Given the clinical presentation, systemic lupus erythematosus should be considered as a cause of transient monocular blindness and should be distinguished from retinal migraine.

Real-World Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Administered With Elotuzumab-Based Treatment.

Objective Elotuzumab is used to treat relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, the optimal patient selection and sequencing in MM therapy are less clear. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with MM who underwent elotuzumab-based therapy. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 85 patients with relapsed/refractory MM who received elotuzumab for the first time. Participants were divided into progressive disease (PD group) and those without PD (non-PD group) at elotuzumab treatment initiation, and each group was analyzed separately. Survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using log-rank tests. Results The median follow-up period was 33.6 (range: 0.5-72.0) months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of PD and non-PD groups at elotuzumab therapy initiation were 5.3 months and not reached (NR), respectively (P < 0.0001), and 26.8 months and NR, respectively. Patients with triple-class refractory disease in both groups had worse PFS and OS. Twenty-one patients in the non-PD group received elotuzumab as post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, whose PFS and OS were NR (95% CI, 21.4 months-NR) and NR (95% CI, NR-NR), respectively. Conclusions Elotuzumab exhibited limited therapeutic efficacy in patients with triple-class refractory MM but better treatment outcomes in situations with adequate disease control and post-transplant treatment.

The Impact of Pretransplant Use of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors on Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia-A Single-institution Retrospective Study.

Objective Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant hematological disorder, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) was its only curative treatment until the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Allo-SCT is still considered for CML patients who are resistant to TKIs and in an advanced phase. Currently, second- and third-generation (2/3 G) TKIs are typically incorporated into the first-line treatment of CML. However, the impact of 2/3 G TKIs on subsequent allo-SCT remains unclear. We therefore evaluated the effect of 2/3 G TKIs on allo-SCT. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the effect of pretransplant therapy with TKIs on the outcome of allo-SCT for CML using clinical data at our institution. Patients or Materials Thirty-two CML patients who received their first allo-SCT procedure at our institute from 2001 to 2020 were included. We divided the patients into three subgroups based on TKI treatment before allo-SCT. Patients receiving no TKIs, only imatinib (IM), and 2/3 G TKIs were classified into the Non-TKI, IM, and 2/3 G TKI groups, respectively. Results In a univariate analysis, the pretransplant use of 2/3 G TKIs was significantly associated with a higher 5-year overall survival (91.7%) and relapse-free survival (75.0%) than the use of IM (37.5% and 12.5%) in patients presenting with or progressing to the advanced phase. In addition, pretransplant use of 2/3 G TKIs did not increase the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Conclusions We demonstrated that the pretransplant use of 2/3 G TKIs was safe and improved the outcome of CML patients who presented with or progressed to the advanced phase without increasing the frequency of GVHD.

Real-world clinical outcomes in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma receiving VTD-PACE treatment in the era of monoclonal antibodies.

Bortezomib (Velcade), thalidomide, dexamethasone, platinum (cisplatin), adriamycin (doxorubicin), cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (VTD-PACE) are commonly used as salvage treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, its outcomes in the era of monoclonal antibodies remain unclear. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of 60 patients with RRMM (median four prior treatment lines) administered VTD-PACE. The median follow-up period was 11.1 months, during which they received a median of two cycles of VTD-PACE. The overall response rate (ORR) was 66.7%; ORRs of 53.1 and 82.1% were noted in patients with ≥ 4 and ≤ 3 prior lines (P = 0.027), respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 17 months, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.8 months. Using the 3-month time point after VTD-PACE treatment as a landmark, 54 patients were still alive. Landmark analysis was conducted for PFS and OS of patients who received or did not receive HSCT or CART after VTD-PACE treatment. Patients who underwent subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART) following VTD-PACE showed a trend of longer PFS and OS than those who did not undergo subsequent HSCT or CART. The median OS in patients with and without renal dysfunction was 10.7 months and 21.5 months, respectively (P = 0.0091). Therefore, VTD-PACE is useful as a bridging therapy for HSCT or CART, as a response can be expected regardless of organ damage, disease risk, or history of anti-CD38 antibody use.

[Acute myeloid leukemia with t (8;21) translocation diagnosed at 21 weeks of gestation resulting in full-term delivery without chemotherapy].

A 28-year-old female was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to t (8;21) (q22;q22.1); RUNX1-RUNX1T1 at 21 weeks of gestation. Because no adverse prognostic genetic mutations were discovered, we decided to continue the pregnancy without chemotherapy for as long as possible. After careful monitoring with blood tests every two weeks, the disease did not progress until full-term, and a cesarean section was performed at 39 weeks of gestation. About two months after delivery, blasts in the peripheral blood increased to 46.5%, and myeloblasts in the bone marrow increased to 21.2%. The patient received idarubicin and cytarabine induction therapy, followed by three cycles of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy, and complete remission was maintained. Here we report a rare case who could avoid chemotherapy until full-term labor without progression of AML.

Malignant lymphoma after liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis caused by human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection.

Here, we describe a rare case of malignant lymphoma after liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection. A male patient was diagnosed with hemophilia A at 8 months of age. Since then, he had been receiving blood products, which led to HIV and HCV co-infection. His HIV viral load was suppressed with antiretroviral therapy, and a sustained virologic response was achieved for HCV using direct-acting antivirals. However, his decompensated liver cirrhosis progressed, and deceased donor liver transplantation was performed. A post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) developed 105 days after liver transplantation, with enlarged para-aortic and hilar lymph nodes, a right renal mass, and masses in the small and large intestines. Histopathological examination confirmed monomorphic PTLD (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). Against the treatment (reduction of immunosuppression, rituximab, and chemotherapy), the response was poor, and the patient died 94 days after the outbreak of PTLD. Both transplantation and HIV infection are risk factors for lymphoproliferative diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the very few reports of PTLD in a patient with HIV/HCV co-infection.

Real-world clinical outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma treated with isatuximab after daratumumab treatment.

Isatuximab and daratumumab are anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies used to treat refractory multiple myeloma. Isatuximab is often used after unsuccessful daratumumab treatment; however, the clinical benefits of receiving isatuximab after daratumumab treatment have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study assessed the clinical outcomes of 39 patients with multiple myeloma who were administered isatuximab after daratumumab. The median follow-up period was 8.7 months (range 0.1-25.0 months). The overall response rate was 46.2% (18 patients). The 1-year overall survival was 53.9%, with a median progression-free survival of 5.6 months. The median progression-free survival in patients with high and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels was 4.5 and 9.6 months, respectively (P = 0.004). The median progression-free survival in patients with and without triple-class refractory disease was 5.1 months and not reached, respectively (P = 0.001). The median overall survival in patients with high and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels was not reached and 9.3 months, respectively (P = 0.001). The median overall survival in patients with and without triple-class refractory disease was 9.9 months and not reached, respectively (P = 0.038). Our findings provide insight into the optimal use and timing of anti-CD38 antibody therapy.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly patients with myeloma: A multicenter retrospective analysis.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been reconsidered for high-risk patients with myeloma, and the eligibility criteria for up-front ASCT have been updated to include more elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tandem ASCT in elderly patients with myeloma compared to tandem ASCT in young patients and single ASCT in elderly patients. A retrospective study using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program database of the Japanese Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, which included 64 elderly and 613 young patients who received tandem ASCT, and 891 elderly patients who received single ASCT, was conducted. The median overall survival (OS) over 38.5 months in the elderly and young patients who received tandem ASCT, and elderly patients who received single ASCT was 78.9, 92.5, and 77.1 months, respectively; no significant difference in the median OS was observed. The cumulative incidence of transplantation-related mortality was similar in the elderly and young patients receiving tandem ASCT. High-risk cytogenetic abnormality was not identified as a poor prognostic factor for OS in elderly patients who received tandem ASCT but in those who received single ASCT. Thus, tandem ASCT was effective and tolerable in elderly patients with myeloma.

Simultaneous quantification of dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib using high-performance liquid chromatography-Photodiode array detection.

BACKGROUND: Dasatinib, nilotinib, and bosutinib, second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and ponatinib, a third-generation TKI, are approved pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays for simultaneous quantification of the four TKIs in human serum have been reported in the literature, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay that simultaneously quantifies these compounds has not yet been developed. This study aims to establish and validate an efficient HPLC analytical method using a photodiode array (PDA) detector for the simultaneous quantification of the four TKIs. METHODS: Calibration standards were prepared by serial dilution of serum samples containing the four TKIs, followed by solid-phase extraction. The four TKIs were eluted in order within 10 min using a binary HPLC gradient system. RESULTS: The calibration ranges were 2-500 ng/ml for dasatinib, 100-5000 ng/ml for nilotinib, and 10-500 ng/ml for bosutinib and ponatinib. Intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy values were found to be in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The recovery rates were 92.9%-96.0%, 80.7%-86.1%, 91.6%-99.0%, and 86.4%-92.6% for dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib, respectively. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an HPLC-PDA analytical method that allows efficient simultaneous quantification of the four TKIs in the serum of patients with CML. We believe that the method developed herein can improve the efficiency of therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with CML in clinical practice.

Efficacy of ondansetron against emesis induced by a multiple-day cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen for malignant lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the antiemetic efficacy of a 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist (5-HT3RA), ondansetron, in patients with malignant lymphoma receiving multi-day cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a single-institution retrospective analysis of patients receiving the first course of an ESHAP (etoposide, cisplatin, methylprednisolone, cytarabine) regimen including 4-day continuous infusion of cisplatin (25 mg/m2/day). All patients received ondansetron 4 mg intravenously during 5-day administration of ESHAP. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) for emesis, which was defined as absence of both emesis and rescue medications. Total control (TC) was defined as an absence of emetic episodes, including nausea and emesis, and complete protection (CP) was defined as an absence of emesis with addition of rescue antiemetics. Nausea and vomiting were assessed and graded daily by medical staff. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were analyzed. Nausea and vomiting were generally well controlled, with the CR rates of emesis being 79% in the overall phase, 82% in the early phase (days 1-6), and 89% in the delayed phase (days 7-10). TC and CP were achieved in 51 patients (62%) and 77 patients (94%) in the overall phase. DISCUSSION: Most of the chemotherapy regimens for lymphoid malignancies include high-dose corticosteroid which may be also effective as antiemetics. Although NK1 receptor antagonist (NK1RA) is generally recommended for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy, it can interact with variety drugs. CONCLUSION: Although NK1RA is generally recommended for cisplatin-containing regimen, our results suggest that ondansetron effectively controlled emesis in patients receiving ESHAP therapy which includes high-dose corticosteroid.

Phase 1 study of plerixafor in combination with total body irradiation-based myeloablative conditioning for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Plerixafor, a CXCR4 inhibitor, has the potential to mobilize leukemic cells, which may contribute to their chemosensitization. This phase 1 study evaluated the safety of myeloablative conditioning combined with plerixafor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with high-risk leukemia undergoing allogeneic HSCT after total body irradiation (TBI, 12 Gy)-based myeloablative conditioning were eligible; 9 patients were enrolled. The study was performed using a 3 + 3 design with an escalating total dose of plerixafor. Plerixafor was given subcutaneously 8 h before TBI and chemotherapeutic agents. Plerixafor was successfully escalated to the maximum dose (0.72 mg/kg) without dose-limiting toxicities. Underlying diseases were acute myelogenous and lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome. As adverse events, plerixafor administration was associated with transient Grades 2-3 diarrhea (n = 7) and abdominal pain (n = 4). In 6 patients, leukemic cell mobilization into the peripheral blood by plerixafor was confirmed by a morphological or molecular method. All patients achieved neutrophil engraftment and 5 were alive in remission at a follow-up after 30-40 months. Plerixafor-combined myeloablative conditioning for allogeneic HSCT was well tolerated. Leukemic-cell mobilization into peripheral blood was observed in half of the patients. Further study is required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this concept.

[Spontaneous remission of relapsed skin lesions of ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation].

A 44-year-old woman was diagnosed with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with clinical stage IVA (nodal and bladder involvement). Complete response (CR) was achieved after the CHOP chemotherapy; however, 12 months after the last course of chemotherapy, ALCL relapsed in the form of skin lesions without nodal involvement. After achieving a second CR with chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplantation was performed. Two months after transplantation, the disease again relapsed as multiple skin lesions. Electron beam irradiation was performed; however, other skin lesions appeared thereafter and spontaneously disappeared. At present, 3.4 years after the transplantation, the patient is free from disease. ALK-positive ALCL relapsing as skin lesions may behave differently from the nodal relapse. An accumulation of cases is required to elucidate ALCL characteristics relapsing as skin lesions.